Human Resource Brilliance (Not) - Just a Vent

[Maleficent13]

I have been at my current company 5 years. At the time of application, I was asked to supply a list of previous jobs contacts and previous education. I did so. I assumed (although, to be honest, I did not care) that HR would follow up with any references they wanted to verify.

I just received an email (it went to all employees) stating that HR now requires us to PROVE our education. We are required to submit either a diploma or written transcript from our school by February 15th.

I graduated college a long time ago. I have NO IDEA where that diploma is (I think somewhere in storage). Nor do I intend to spend the $25 to have my school send me a transcript (not to mention I wouldn't want my HR department, gossip mongers that they are, to have a blow by blow of my college career).

It just po's me that now, apparently, I'm spending the weekend in a 10x10 storage unit, ripping through boxes, in the freezing cold.

 

[OhMari]

My employer has his framed, it's sad that so many people are lying about where they attended school and or in fact did graduate.

We have a person from WI that is a congress women in the House of Representatives in DC and said she graduated from UW Madison and she never did. She said it was a misunderstanding that never got cleared up, (OK) she clearly didn't graduate, so if she didn't, I'm sure there are a lot more out there claiming they graduated and they never did.

 

[sweet angel]

So after 5 years they can't figure out if their employees are intelligent? What happens if you don't supply the info? I think it's ridiculous.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Isn't that something an HR department could (and should) be checking on their own?? I mean, can't HR call a college and ask for verification that a student graduated from the school?

 

[cats7494]

Isn't that something an HR department could (and should) be checking on their own?? I mean, can't HR call a college and ask for verification that a student graduated from the school?

I agree! I am in HR and that is what I do - just did it last Friday on a new employee...sounds like you have some very lazy HR people at your company, Maleficent13

 

[LindsayDunn228]

When I got hired, on the day of orientation, I had to bring proof of my college degree. They accepted my little wallet sized lamenated diploma.

I too find it stange they are doing this on their own.

 

[Maleficent13]

Isn't that something an HR department could (and should) be checking on their own?? I mean, can't HR call a college and ask for verification that a student graduated from the school?

MTE!!!

cats7494, you have no idea. My HR department is unbelievable.

 

[CEDmom]

So after 5 years they can't figure out if their employees are intelligent? What happens if you don't supply the info? I think it's ridiculous.

It's not that they question the intelligence of employees but rather their ethics. I had a co-worker who had been unemployed for a few months but rather than just put that on her application she stretched her employment dates at her previous company. Over a year after she had been working with me HR found out about her discrepancy after running a routine background check. She was immediately dismissed. While people felt badly about the situation what she did violated company standards.

Couldn't you contact your college and ask about getting a copy of your diploma? I for one would rather shell out a few $$ than go searching for mine.

 

[disykat]

I find it odd that they didn't ask for sealed transcripts when you applied if it was important to them.

 

[Cindy B]

Due to the NCLB act, I too have to submit transcripts to my HR department. Its no big deal. Its not like I didn't see it coming.

 

[NMAmy]

Mal--if it doesn't have to be an official transcript--most colleges and universities have unofficial transcripts available online.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

It's not that they question the intelligence of employees but rather their ethics. I had a co-worker who had been unemployed for a few months but rather than just put that on her application she stretched her employment dates at her previous company. Over a year after she had been working with me HR found out about her discrepancy after running a routine background check. She was immediately dismissed. While people felt badly about the situation what she did violated company standards.

Couldn't you contact your college and ask about getting a copy of your diploma? I for one would rather shell out a few $$ than go searching for mine.

Actually the person you speak of not only violated company standards, but falsified documents.
I now check all schooling, professional certifications, credit history, etc online with a background checking agency. We have to know what we are getting into these days because SO MANY people just out and out LIE!
(Yes I've worked in HR for way too long...)

 

[sweet angel]

How does credit history relate to a job application?

 

[Bob Slydell]

How does credit history relate to a job application?

In many cases, it's a concern that an employee will get a corporate CC and not pay it off. That, or a bad credit report may (emphasis on "may") indicate and untrustworthy employee.

Credit reports are a fairly standard check in an background search these days.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I graduated college a long time ago. I have NO IDEA where that diploma is (I think somewhere in storage). Nor do I intend to spend the $25 to have my school send me a transcript

That's exactly it! They don't want to pay for the transcript. I had to do the same when I registered at the college. I contacted my previous schools, sent them checks for the transcripts, and had them mail it directly to the college. Can't come to you first...it wouldn't be "official." Diplomas are practically worthless since it's so easy for them to be fakes.

I worked in a hospital checking credentials of docs that applied. Couldn't believe it when we actually found one whose medical school couldn't verify his degree. The doc said it's valid. The school said there was an outstanding bill of his FOR DECADES that he hadn't paid. Therefore, not valid!! Gee...What an ethical guy!

 

[sweet angel]

In many cases, it's a concern that an employee will get a corporate CC and not pay it off. That, or a bad credit report may (emphasis on "may") indicate and untrustworthy employee.

Credit reports are a fairly standard check in an background search these days.

Interesting. Never thought of that.

 

[diznygirl]

Actually the person you speak of not only violated company standards, but falsified documents.
I now check all schooling, professional certifications, credit history, etc online with a background checking agency. We have to know what we are getting into these days because SO MANY people just out and out LIE!
(Yes I've worked in HR for way too long...)

Yeah, but I don't remember whether I started in June or July sometimes, and these business no longer exist. I'm not falsifying anything - I just have a bad memory!

 

[Hercules10]

I'm not saying there is no such thing as a good HR department. But in 10 years I've yet to have one.

I think ours requires a masters degree in 'Delegation of Duties'

 

[sc9500]

In many cases, it's a concern that an employee will get a corporate CC and not pay it off. That, or a bad credit report may (emphasis on "may") indicate and untrustworthy employee.

Credit reports are a fairly standard check in an background search these days.

Gee.. its too bad we cant do a thorough check on the companies we work for, as an employee of corporate America, I KNOW Im getting shafted by the board upstairs and the CEO, yet they are allowed to scrutinize the fact that I may have messed up on the length of employment at my last job? ( Who's got more skeletons in their closet -ask the poor people of Emron and hundreds of other companies that continually bilk the american employee while they make sure their parachutes are untouchable )